Michelle Cary

There’s so much going on right now I’m starting to wonder if I’m coming or going. Over the weekend I received 1st round edits on my Loose ID story Sophie’s Secret. The tentative release date is November 11th. I also finished up the WIP I was working on with fellow author Amanda Young and have sent it to her for approval and final touches. Which is code for she’s going to raunch it up some…lol. I’m really excited about that project and can’t wait to get it subbed and accepted somewhere.

Also, I’ve finished writing my romantic suspense entitled Northern Lights, but after some tough love from my critique partner and fellow author Liz Craven, I realize I still have some work to do. However, her advice can only make the story stronger so when it does get subbed somewhere it will hopefully be accepted too.

Ideas are cultivating for what my next project is going to be. After writing two romantic suspense stories and keeping both relatively tame in the bedroom, I might be due for another erotic romance…we’ll have to see.

In the meantime, I’m off to start my training at my new ‘real job’ today. That too is something I’m excited about becuase it’s not an office job pushing papers, but something completely different than I’ve ever done before. Wish me luck!!!

A variation of this question was kicked around by me and my fellow critique partners the other day, when I whined about needed to finish two love scenes in my latest WIP. I’m the only one of the group who dares to venture out of the Erotic Romance niche and found myself the other day desperately trying to put together a love scene for my WIP. The problem is I want it to be a romantic suspense and I’ve made a rule with my writing that my romantic suspense would not be erotic romance.

Not that I have anything against erotic romance. It’s a genre that I often enjoy writing in, but for my RS works I wanted something more. There in came the debate. To write a good, I mean really good, love scene not only requires covering all the senses, but the thoughts and emotions as well. You wouldn’t think this would be a difficult task, and for some I’m sure it isn’t. For me however, switching from graphic sex to eluding to the sex can sometimes be a challenge. And I don’t believe I’m the only one who thinks so as one of my critique partners generously volunteered to write the scene for me, until I told her the requirements. I believe her reply was something to the effect of “I wouldn’t have a clue how to even begin.” or something along those lines.

While I think we’re all in agreement that writing any good love scene takes skill, I’ve recently decided that because of the restrictions placed on non-erotic love scenes, its more difficult to write than a graphic scene. In erotic romance you’re allowed to use all those ‘naughty’ and ‘taboo’ words to described the male and female genitals. Oral and anal sex, while still slightly taboo (and highly erotic) are written out in almost painful detail, leaving little to the reader’s imagination. Bondage and domination are easily considered acceptable topics.

With non-erotic romance, all those freedoms don’t exist. That’s not to say I’m complaining as I enjoy books that leave something to the imagination as much as those that don’t. However, as a writer I’ll readily admit that I’m challenged by the rules. Ultimately, I believe it makes me work harder, thus honing my skills and making me a better at my avocation. I’m sure not everyone will agree with my thoughts on the matter and personally I think it’s a great subject for debate. What’s your thoughts on erotic vs non-erotic romance?

Excerpt:

How could she possibly think anything was wrong with her? With long blonde hair, a petite frame, and the most generous personality he’d ever encountered, she was everything a man could want — well, everything he’d ever wanted. “No, no, no, and no,” he replied patting the couch. “Sit back down here, and tell me what happened.”

With a sigh, she plopped down onto the couch and curled into the crook of his arm. The aromatic scent of sunflowers tickled his nostrils. Logan had to stifle the urge to lean into her neck and take a deeper sniff.

“Corey was promoted and tomorrow is his birthday, so I was going kill two birds with one stone and sneak into his place while he was at work to surprise him with a little dinner au natural. Only when I got there, I found him putting it to the bimbo that lives down the hall on the living room rug.”

The image of Sophie serving dinner naked lodged itself in Logan’s brain and wouldn’t let go. His dick surged to life, and he quickly adjusted himself so as not to accidentally reveal his thoughts. It wasn’t her fault he’d had a thing for her since high school, but made a promise to his best friend — her brother — to keep his paws off.

She tilted her head up and looked at him. “It has to be the sex.”

“Excuse me?” That had been the last thing he expected to hear her say. He was having a hard enough time keeping his brain engaged in the conversation when most of the blood needed for thought processes had diverted south. Having her bring up the question of her own inadequacies in the sex department wouldn’t help matters any.

“Sex, Logan.” She pushed off him and shifted on the sofa so they were facing each other. Logan prayed she wouldn’t notice the hard-on now threatening to tent his shorts.

“If it’s not my looks or any of those other things that turned Corey off, then I must be bad in bed.”

Think cold thoughts! He shifted back against the sofa and as nonchalantly as possible pulled a pillow over his lap. “Well,” he began. Penguins, Eskimos, swimming naked in a cold lake. Logan cleared his throat. “Since I have no knowledge in that area, it would be inappropriate for me to comment.”

“And why is that?” Her look turned dark, then she sprang from the couch to resume her pacing.

Ice cubes, yellow snow…what? With his brain only working on half power, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Logan to keep up with her lightning-fast mood swings. “Why is what, Phia?”

“Why haven’t we ever had sex? I’ve known you since I was little, and we’ve been roommates for the last four years. You’ve had plenty of opportunity to try and put your playboy moves on me, but you never have.” She paused, and her eyes grew glassy. “Be honest. Am I really that unattractive?”

He couldn’t stand the idea of seeing her cry over something as trivial as sex. “God, no.” He jumped to his feet and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I’ve never made a move on you because Mitch swore to me if I ever did anything to hurt you, he’d break every bone in my body. Your brother is my best friend, and while I wouldn’t be against taking a few hits for a beautiful girl, I didn’t want to do anything that would screw up my friendship.”

Her gaze locked on his, disbelief on her face. “You think I’m beautiful?”

“Of course I think you’re beautiful. I swear to you, if Mitch wasn’t your brother, I would have hit on you a long time ago.”

A slow smile tugged at her lips and eventually engulfed her face. “I’d say you were lying to spare my feelings, but since you can’t very easily fake an erection, I believe you.”

Busted!

He glanced down only to see his shorts poking out in all the wrong places. In his rush to calm her tears, he’d completely forgotten about his little problem.

She stepped into his arms, leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the nose. “Thanks Logan. I needed that.”

“No problem. What are friends fo –” He drew in a sharp breath. She brushed a gentle hand over the bulge in his shorts as she turned away sending sparks racing up his spine. Logan barely contained the urge to snag her arm and yank her back against him.

What he wouldn’t do to feel her soft warm body against his? Short of ruining his friendship with Mitch, there wasn’t much. Still, for all he knew, it could have been a completely innocent move on her part.

She bent over to pick her bag up off the floor, and Logan had to look away to keep from reaching out to touch her firm ass. She straightened and walked to her bedroom where she stopped in the doorway and looked back at him. “You know, you’d only be hurting me if I wanted more than you were willing to give. Nobody said we had to have a happily ever after, but a hot night of tawdry sex wouldn’t have been out of the question.” Without waiting for a response, she closed the door.

All of Logan’s conscious thought dissolved into a pool of sizzling lust, leaving him staring at her now closed door, mouth agape with a woody the size of the Empire State Building. Had her errant hand been an accident or a calculated move? Either way, he could shoot himself for making that promise to Mitch.

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REVIEWS

Literary Nymph Reviews
4 Nymphs
Reviewer: Scandalous Minx

Michelle Cary has definitely created an enjoyable read.

Read the entire review here!

Romanc Junkies
Blue Ribbon Rating: 4.5
Reviewer: Chrissy Dionne

Sophie and Logan seem like such close friends that it’s hard to imagine either of them with anyone else and I loved delving into their turmoil as their relationship goes from friends to lovers. Michelle Cary tells this story with great sensitivity and a lot of insight into the characters’ feelings and thoughts which makes it a pleasurable read.

Read the entire review here!

Sensual Erotic Romance 24/7
Sart Rating: 4 stars
Reviewer: Kimberly Spinney

Michelle Cary is absolutely brilliant. Her gifted writing is hot and sensual, yet sweet and romantic. This is a beautifully crafted erotic romance that has it all. From BDSM, to menage to a well constructed romance. This is a four star romance, not to be missed. I can’t wait for Ms. Cary’s next novel.

Read the entire review here!

Joyfully Reviewed
Reviewer: Talia Ricci

I couldn’t have asked for a better story. Sophie’s Secret is emotionally gripping and sensually satisfying. I enjoyed every single enticing word.

Read the entire review here!

Two Lips Reviews
4 1/2 lips
Reviewer: Victoria

Michelle Cary pens a beautiful love story in Sophie’s Secret. I like the angst Ms. Cary created between the couple as Logan wrestles with his love of Sophie against his friendship with her brother. Sophie’s Secret proves that sometimes your true love is right in front of your face, waiting patiently to unfold.

Read the entire review here!

November 11, 2008 is the tentative release date with Loose ID for my erotic romance Novella entitled Sophie’s Secret. It will come on the heels of my first release from Wild Rose Press, which is a romantic suspense novel entitled Ransomed Heart due to release on October 24th.

Keep checking back here for more information on both titles!

I’ve been working to finish a joint project I have with Author Amanda Young. I still have a way to go, but I’m getting there.

Now that the contracts are all signed and it’s official, I’m very happy to announce that my latest work Sophie’s Secret has been picked up by Loose Id.

Sophie’s Secret is a erotic romance novella about a woman who is looking to fufill her secret desires and her room mate/friend who volunteers his services.

Also I’ve finished my romantic suspense novel entitles Northern Lights and have sent off a query to one publisher who at this time shall remain nameless. Wish me luck with that one because if they pick it up it will be a huge boost to my resume.

Now I’ve decided to go back and finish another romantic suspense story started by my critique partner and good friend author Amanda Young (when she was still writing heterosexual stories…lol) who after deciding it wasn’t her ‘cup of tea’ handed the story over to me to work my suspense magic. It’s a great story with lots of bones and is tentatively titled Don’t Look Back.

And thats about it for now, but as you all can see my plate is pretty much full at the moment. Stay tuned for more info…

Michelle

I’m happy to announce that a good friend, fellow Jerseyite has just celebrated her first book release with an erotic romance novella entitled “Beyond Boundaries’ over at Whispers Publishing.

http://www.whispershome.com/book_pages/beyond_boundaries.html

From the blurb on the website it looks to be one HOT title and I absolutely love the cover. So be sure to add Ginny’s title to your TBR pile. If you’ve ever thought about pushing your own boundaries I’m sure you’ll enjoy this title!

That’s the final diagnosis for the kidney disease I have. From what my doctor telles me it’s an autoimmune disorder where essentially my immune system has went haywire and is now attacking my kidneys.

While he isn’t 100% sure he does believe it was initially triggered by some sort of virus. Since I have two children in school I’ve had plenty of colds over the years, some worse than others, so it’s quite possible he’s right. The diesease progresses slowly and while there is no cure there is treatement to slow the progression and hopefully keep me out of renal failure.

I have to say, I am glad to have an answer even if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I’m very much a person who likes to know what I’m facing. I also have hope that at some point in the future sciene will find a cure.

While they can’t understand what I’m going through my friends have all be extremently supportive and for that I’m thankful. I also have a great doctor who is being vigilant in prescribing the correct combination of drugs to help with the diesease yet give me the least amount of side effects.

And now that I know, I can put this behind me and move on with more important things in my life, like my children. Still, I’d very much love to hear from other’s out there who have this type of kidney diesease, so if you happen to have stumbled across my blog, please drope me a line.

Sorry I haven’t been around folks. I’ve had quite a bit of personal stuff to deal with lately. However, I did want to let you all know I’m just about finished with my next WIP.

More info to come soon…I promise!